Twinkie Town
An online community of Twins fans mourning the death of Prince Rogers Nelson.
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TwinkieTown Movie Night: Bad Day at Black Rock
Twinkie Town’s movie night spotlights the 1955 western thriller *Bad Day at Black Rock* (aka *Conspiración de Silencio*). starring Spencer Tracy, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan and Lee Marvin, the film thrusts Tracy’s character into a dangerous showdown in a remote desert town, with the plot’s twists revealed within the first 15 minutes. Directed by John Sturges—later of *The Magnificent Seven* and *The Great Escape*—the article highlights Ryan’s iconic villainy and the movie’s sharp, fast‑paced storytelling. Filmed near Lone Pine, CA, the classic remains a compelling, thought‑provoking MGM production. The post also teases upcoming screenings on Nov. 13 (baseball drama *61/**) and Nov. 20 (*Roxanne*).
Were you watching, Pohlads?
William Contreras earns the Willie Mays World Series MVP as the Milwaukee Brewers clinch their first championship, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game Five at Tropicana Field on Oct. 28, 2026. The Brew Crew’s postseason run includes a NLDS win over the San Diego Padres, a NLCS sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a dominant World Series performance that felt like a home‑field advantage in Florida. Despite being the MLB’s smallest market, Milwaukee outspent the Minnesota Twins ($146.7M vs. $115.7M) and built a loyal fan base that filled AmFam Field and even the rival’s stadium. The article argues the Brewers’ model could serve as a blueprint for other small‑market teams.
Alphaball Twins League, season results: Alpha bats
The Alphaball Twins League’s season wraps up with Dezreal’s Defenders clinching the Omega half’s top seed (103 wins) and Warwick holding the Alpha League’s lead. Jimmy Ryan, a 1800s star, tops most batting categories, while Taffy Wright snags the batting crown and Bob Johnson breaks 50 home runs. Pitching legends dominate: Walter Johnson posts a sub‑1.00 WHIP and leads in WAR and strikeouts; Johan Santana remains among the leaders despite a dip. Norm Zauchin wins the Home Run Derby (17‑11 over David Ortiz) and the Omega League edges Alpha 2‑1 in the All‑Star Game on Chili Davis’s RBI single. Two cycles occur—Michael A. Taylor and surprise Junior Ortiz—and the playoffs begin with best‑of‑five early rounds and best‑of‑seven finals.
(Tuesday) Morning Minnesota: The “Congrats to the Brewers” Edition
The Twinkie Town roundup celebrates the Milwaukee Brewers clinching their first World Series title, congratulating pitcher Trevor Megill and noting the win’s impact on Minnesota sports fans. The post also highlights Twins news: a qualifying offer to Ryan Jeffers, offseason analysis from Zach Koenig and Ben Jones, and articles from The Athletic, Star Tribune and Twins Daily on free‑agency moves and the Brewers’ championship lessons. Additional Twinkie Town features include a Twins‑focused OOTP tournament, movie night picks, and MLB award finalist updates with insights from ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel.
Greatest Washington Senators: A Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 2)
Twinkie Town’s second‑round list crowns Walter Johnson as the greatest Washington Senator, echoing a Reagan‑level landslide. The article then profiles five early‑20th‑century standouts: speed‑and‑contact phenom Sam Rice (2,889 hits, 346 steals, 1963 HOF), power‑contact left‑fielder Goose Goslin (AL batting crown 1928, key to the 1924 title, HOF 1968), defensive first‑baseman Joe Judge (led AL fielding stats, preserved Johnson’s 1920 no‑hitter), versatile infielder Buddy Myer (1935 batting title, .349 average), and base‑stealing ace Clyde “Deerfoot” Milan (1,004 runs, 495 steals, two AL speed titles). Each profile blends stats, anecdotes, and legacy highlights, helping fans gauge the Senators’ historic talent.
Twins extend qualifying offer to catcher Ryan Jeffers
The Minnesota Twins have issued a qualifying offer to catcher Ryan Jeffers—a one‑year, $23.15 million contract that must be accepted by Nov. 17. Jeffers joins seven other players receiving the same offer, and if he declines and signs elsewhere for $50 million or more, the Twins gain an extra first‑round pick; a lower‑value deal yields a later pick. The deal would make Jeffers the highest‑paid catcher in MLB, surpassing Cal Raleigh’s $17.5 million AAV, but it’s a short‑term risk. With limited market demand for starting catchers, the article argues Jeffers is best served by taking the QO and re‑entering free agency next season.
What can the Twins learn from the Brewers’ World Series run?
The article examines why the Milwaukee Brewers captured the 2026 World Series and what the Minnesota Twins can learn from their aggressive roster strategy. It highlights the Brewers’ willingness to trade star talent—Josh Hader, Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams—for depth pieces like Robert Gasser, William Contreras, and David Hamilton, while also leveraging savvy self‑scouting to lock up prospects such as Jackson Chourio. In contrast, the Twins have lingered around .500 by retaining aging assets and making few moves, despite a promising farm pool (Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper, etc.). The piece argues the Twins must embrace more proactive trades and realistic talent assessment to break out of mediocrity.
TwinkieTown Movie Night: Little Shop of Horrors
TwinkieTown’s October 30 blog invites fans to a 7:30 p.m. movie night featuring the cult classic *Little Shop of Horrors*. The post traces the film’s origins from Roger Corman’s 1959 low‑budget slash‑and‑burn production to its 1960 release, public‑domain status, and surprising legacy – including a cameo by a young Jack Nicholson and its influence on Howard Ashman’s later Disney hits. It highlights the 1986 Frank Oz‑directed musical remake starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Levi Stubbs as the soul‑ful plant voice, noting the Oscar‑nominated “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space.” The article blends trivia, song‑style details, and why the film still entertains today.
Four 2006 Twins took home hardware
Four Minnesota Twins stars dominate 2006 with major awards as they pose before an April 12, 2007 game. Johan Santana flaunts his Cy Young, Baseball America Player of the Year, and Player's Choice honors; Justin Morneau displays his AL MVP trophy; Joe Mauer holds the AL batting title (.347 average) alongside his Silver Slugger; and Torii Hunter shows his sixth consecutive Gold Glove. The Twins beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3‑2 at the Metrodome, capping a historic, hardware‑laden season despite a disappointing ALDS finish.
MLB 2026-2027 Offseason Calendar
The Minnesota Twins enter a busy 2026‑27 offseason after the Milwaukee Brewers clinch the World Series. Key dates include free agency opening on Nov. 2 (players eligible to sign on Nov. 6), GM meetings Nov. 9‑12, Rule 5 protection and qualifying‑offer deadlines on Nov. 17, and the non‑tender deadline on Nov. 20, when players like Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner could be cut. Awards season runs throughout November, with Gold Glove, MVP, Cy Young and other honors announced. The collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, likely triggering an owners’ lockout that halts major‑league transactions. Twins fans should watch these milestones as the club seeks to build on its young talent and emulate the Brewers’ success.
Arizona Fall League Check-In
The Twins’ Arizona Fall League (AFL) squad is a mix of injury recoveries and emerging talent. Left‑handers Cesar Lares and Ross Dunn continue rehabbing from major arm injuries, while Brian Zeldin logs only 2.1 innings in five outings. Reliever Cleiber Maldonado, back from elbow surgery, shows promise with 7 K in 4.1 innings despite a 12.60 ERA last season. Double‑A infielder Kyle DeBarge ignites the fall, hitting .367 with a 1.071 OPS in 14 games and back‑to‑back homers. Outfielder Yasser Mercedes posts a .302/.389/.488 line in 13 AFL games after a modest High‑A season, and catcher Enrique Jimenez contributes a 118 wRC+ in limited action. Though not the flashiest group, these prospects could shape the Twins’ 2027 roster.
The Alphaball Twins League: an OOTP 27 tournament
Out of the Park Baseball fans can now dive into the Alphaball Twins League, a 16‑team tournament built from Minnesota Twins (and former Senators) players who share common surnames. Each roster follows a strict 26‑man format (13 pitchers, 13 position players) and showcases a player's best MLB season rather than just his Twin year. Teams are named after global cities and reflect letter groups—e.g., Aachen Aardwolves (A), Aberdeen Absconders (A‑C), Guigang Gaggles (G), and the ultra‑long‑named Llanfair PG Ais (shortest & longest surnames). After a simulated 162‑game season, the league crowns a champion through a 16‑team playoff. The article details roster construction, numbering quirks, and league structure, offering a creative twist for offseason OOTP enthusiasts.
Greatest Washington Senators: A Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 1)
Twinkie Town launches its first round of the "Greatest Washington Senators" definitive list, spotlighting the franchise that became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. The article explains the Senators’ historic link to the Twins and why they deserve recognition separate from the modern Washington Nationals. Round 1 features Hall‑of‑Famers Walter Johnson, Sam Rice, Goose Goslin, Joe Judge and Buddy Myer, each with career stats and memorable moments – from Johnson’s 2.17 ERA and 168.4 bWAR to Goslin’s 1924 World Series heroics and Judge’s record‑setting defense. The piece sets the stage for a fan‑driven poll on the Senators’ all‑time greats.
Monday Morning Minnesota: The “MN Sports Looking Up?” Edition
Monday Morning Minnesota highlights a surprisingly mixed sports week in the state. While the Vikings and Wolves remain undefeated, Gopher football welcomes back Floyd, Gopher men’s hockey sweeps No. 3 Fighting Hawks, Olivia Miles earns All‑WNBA First Team honors, and the Wild lead the Central. The Twins, however, continue to struggle, prompting analysis from Twinkie Town writers on their paradoxical 2026 performance, infield grades, and prospects for 2027. The post also previews World Series Game 3, Roberto Clemente Award winner Francisco Lindor, and key offseason free‑agent rankings.
TwinkieTown Movie Night: Beetlejuice
Tonight’s TwinkieTown Movie Night streams Tim Burton’s cult classic Beetlejuice at 7:30 PM. The blog recaps the film’s quirky plot—dead New England couple (Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin) haunting new owners (Catherine O’Hara) and hiring bio‑exorcist Michael Keaton—while diving into Burton’s behind‑the‑scenes lore: original script by Michael McDowell, early casting ideas (Sammy Davis Jr., Winona Ryder), and Danny Elfman’s iconic score. It also notes the film’s spin‑offs (animated series, games, a 2024 sequel, and a Broadway musical) and trivia about cast members. Readers get a fun mix of movie details and Burton trivia to decide if they’ll tune in.
Can the Twins avoid another late landslide in 2027?
The Twins have a pattern of late‑season collapses that could haunt them again in 2027. After breaking a 0‑18 playoff‑losing streak in 2023, Minnesota fell from a solid August lead in 2022 (54‑48) to an 78‑84 finish, repeated the slide in 2024 with a 9‑18 September run that knocked them out of the wild‑card race, and saw a disastrous 19‑35 August/September in 2025 after trading away bullpen arms. In 2026 they sit .500 (56‑56) but posted a 10‑17 August and 11‑13 September. The article examines how the 2023 front‑office investments—deep starting pitching, a marquee signing, and positional depth—helped avoid collapse, and questions whether Tom Pohlad’s payroll promises can stop the trend next year.
Grading the 2026 Twins: Infielders
Twinkie Town grades the 2026 Minnesota Twins' infield and catchers in part two of its season review. Josh Bell, acquired as a steady veteran, posted a modest .255/.319/.419 line with 21 homers and 96 RBI but saw a career‑low walk rate and defensive struggles, earning a B‑ grade. Young shortstop‑turned‑third‑baseman Brooks Lee posted career highs (.253/.300/.428, 24 HR, 2.8 fWAR) and a Gold Glove nod, earning a B+ for his defensive excellence and solid, if unspectacular, offense. Utility man Kody Clemens led the team with 27 homers, delivering a B+ after a versatile year across first, outfield and second base. Royce Lewis slumped after a brief resurgence, finishing with a .227 line, low wRC+, and a B‑grade, highlighting the need for offensive upgrades. The article details each player's plate appearances, stats, and future outlook.
On the complexities of scheduling
The author reflects on how even simple league scheduling can become a tangled puzzle. While most fans only glance at MLB calendars, the writer explains the challenges of crafting four rotating schedules for a Dice Baseball league on Roll20, ensuring each of the 34 fictional teams appears on every TV‑named channel and, across two schedules, hosts at least one home game on each channel. The painstaking process—tracking channel assignments, resolving conflicts, and duplicating efforts—highlights the complexity behind professional MLB scheduling. Readers get a behind‑the‑scenes look at amateur league logistics and a newfound appreciation for the sport’s official schedulers.
The paradoxical performance of the 2026 Twins offense—and how to build for 2027
Despite finishing eight games behind the AL Central leader and missing the third wild‑card spot, the 2026 Minnesota Twins ranked second in the American League in runs scored—a paradox the author argues won’t hold up in 2027 as league offense improves. The piece outlines offseason priorities: solidifying shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, third base Brooks Lee, left field Emmanuel Rodriguez, and center field Walker Jenkins (or Byron Buxton if healthy); deciding on a catcher via Ryan Jeffers’ qualifying offer; and adding depth at second base, right field, and first base to replace departing Josh Bell and underperforming Royce Lewis. With young talent on board, the Twins must actively upgrade to stay in the AL’s top five next season.
Monday Morning Minnesota: The “It’s World Series Time (Soon)” Edition
The Twins’ offseason buzz is heating up as pitcher Griffin Jax (22) faces a potential Game 7 start for the Guardians, while Minnesota dismisses former pitching coach Pete Maki and hires former Rays Triple‑A pitching coach Brian Reith. Brooks Lee makes the Gold Glove finalist list, and several local writers preview 2027 prospects and predict the starting rotation. Across baseball, the Rays inch toward a World Series berth, the Brewers eye a matchup, and the Dodgers lament a NLCS sweep.
TwinkieTown Movie Night: Bride of Frankenstein
Here’s the link for tonight’s movie. Click your clicks at 7:30! So, imagine you’re Boris Karloff. Working actor at Universal — kind of one of the lesser studios, but a job’s a job. You’re in the cafeteria one day, wearing your nicest suit, and this dapper English gentleman comes over and asks if he can […]
Reckoning with the Savannah Bananas
I was born in 1985. Sociologically-speaking, this means two things: As such, and as an enormous Major League Baseball fan, I don’t know what to make of the Savannah Bananas. In case you are unaware (I certainly was until delving in), the Bananas started in 2016 as a legitimate participant in the collegiate wood bat […]
What Prospects Will Help the Twins in 2027?
With the 2026 season fully behind us, I decided to take a look at all of the top prospects who are likely to contribute to the major league roster next season. From the franchise cornerstones to the middle relievers, these are all of the prospects that I think could provide significant value to the Twins […]
Brian Reith hired as Twins pitching coach
The Twins announced this morning that they named Brian Reith as their next pitching coach, replacing Pete Maki who was let go following the end of the 2026 season. They also promoted Ben Myers to the Big League training staff after spending the past few years with the St. Paul Saints, the Twins Triple-A affiliate. […]
Brooks Lee named Gold Glove finalist
Twins third baseman Brooks Lee was named a finalist for a Gold Glove award at third base. The positional specification is important since Lee opened the season as Minnesota’s starting shortstop. Lee is unlikely to bring the hardware home, as the Red Sox’s Caleb Durbin lapped the field in most defensive metrics at third base, […]
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